Metering valve



Dec. 6, 1960 w. T. Hl-:Yl-:R ETAL METERING VALVE Filed Sept. 9, 1957 s Yi 4 5 MMM fw my@ E 6 W. K Ah/ 0 :l El 4 MM im MQ. n E? Oc IMJJ m 6 .@.1w F H United States METERING VALVE Filed Sept. 9, 1957, Ser. No. 682,739

Claims. (Cl. 251-48) This -invention relates to a metering valveintended for discharging a predetermined volume of liquid on eachactuation thereof.

Metering valves such as for Water closet faucets are well known, andhave for their principal object the discharge of Ia limited andpredetermined volume of water upon each actuation of the valve.

A disadvantage inherent in most of the presently known devices of thistype resides in the fact that their metering means ordinarily require -ableed action in which fluid is forced from one chamber to another,commonly by such means as the flow of water under pressure from thewater line into a cylinder which moves a piston to shut off the valve.Valves utilizing bleed means are inherently unreliable, principallybecause the bleed means frequently become plugged up, or otherwisechange in size. Also, they are undesirably complex, and need to -be keptin close adjustment if they are to work correctly.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a metering valvein which means are provided for delaying the closing of the valve, whichmeans are entirely isolated from the iluid being discharged, which donot discharge any material whatever during their controlling operation,and which do not rely on restrictor passages for their closuredelayingfunction.

A valve according to this invention incorporates a housing having apassage, and a spindle disposed in said passage so that the housing andspindle are relatively reeiprocable. The spindle carries a plug which isadapted to close a port in said housing. When the spindle is in oneposition, the plug closes the port to shut off the valve, and when thespindle is displaced from such position the plug is removed from thesaid port so that water can flow through said-valve. A flexible,deformable capsule is interconnected between the housing and the spindleso as to be deformed when the spindle is axially shifted relative to thehousing. In order for the spindle to move the plug back in a position toclose the valve, the capsule must simultaneously be restored to itsformer condition. This process of restoration delays the shut- Vtingolf, and the capsule is subject to design in various sizes to givevarious delays.

The above and other features of this invention will be fully understoodfrom the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings,of which:

Fig. l is a side view, partly in cross-section of the preferredembodiment of a valve according to the invention, shown with the valveclosed;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross-section, .of the Valve ofFig. l, shown with the valve open;

Figs. 3-6 lare side elevations, partly in cross-section o componentparts of the valve of Fig. l; and

. Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side view, partly in cross-section, of amodification of the valve of Fig. l.

A metering valve 10 according to this invention is shown in Fig. l. Thevalve includes a housing 11 which has a central passage 12 with an axis13. The housing i tet lice has an outer shoulder 14 to restrain anattachment ring 15 which threads on to a faucet base 16 holding a spacer17 and a rubber washer 18 therebetween. Within the housing there is anundercut ring groove 19 for receiving a retaining ring 20. There is alsoan inner shoulder 21 on said housing for bearing against a capsule to bedescribed.

A seat member 29 is generally cylindrical in shape and has an axiscoinciding with axis 13. On this axis there is a circular port 3l)defined by a circular seat 31 which may be chamfered as shown. This seatmember has a cylindrical wall 32 which is pierced by a plurality of owholes 33 by means of which, when the metering valve is attached to afaucet as shown, water or other duid can ow from a pipe 34 through theport 30 and out flow holes 33 through a faucet pipe`35 when the port iSopened.

Within the central passage 12, and coaxial with the 'axis 13, there isan axially reciprocable spindle 36. This spindle has a portion 37 whichpasses through the port 30 so as to project on the opposite side of saidport from the flow holes. This portion has a groove 38 which creates acylindrical attachment means 39 which iits into a matching cavity 40 ina plug 41. This plug is tapered as at 42, and as can be seen from thefigures, the plug will in one position of the spindle (shown in Fig. l),close the port so that there can be no fluid flow from pipe 34 to thevalve, and in another position (shown in Fig. 2), open the port. Waterpressure in pipe 34 aids in maintaining this seal.

Spring means 43 are biased between the retaining ring 20 and the cap 44.The cap is threaded onto threads 45 on the spindle. The spindle isthereby biased to the valve-closed position shown in Fig. l.

It will be appreciated that when the cap 44 is pressed down, the spindlewill be moved to a position in which the plug 41 is removed from theport 30 and water flow is permitted. Even without the spring means,water pressure in the seal member and pipe will tend to ultimatelyreturn the spindle in the valve-closed position. However, the springmeans 43 provides a more predictable rate `of return than is obtainablethrough water pressure alone, because water pressure is subject tofluctuation, while the spring pressure is not. By making the effect o-fthe spring several times greater than the effect of water pressure inclosing the valve, relatively large pressure changes will have arelatively lesser effect on the length of the valves closing cycle,thereby providing a valve which gives about the same time delay inclosing of the valve over a wide range of pressure values.

In order to provide for a suiiiciently long valve closing time for thedesired volume of water to ow through the valve for each actuation,shear means 46 are connected between the housing and the spindle so asto join the same and retard the relative motion of the two components.Shear means 46 comprises a flexible, deformable capsule, the componentsof which are shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. Principally this capsule isformed by a pair of caps 47, 48, cap 47 being shown in Fig. 3. Cap 48 isof identical construction. Cap 47 has a bell-shaped portion 49(sometimes called a web section in the sense that it is this bell-shapedportion which :is the interconnection of the cap between the body of thevalve and the spindle) terminating at its portion of narrowest diameterwith a depend-ing internal neck portion 50 which is generallycylindrical in shape. The larger end of the bell-shaped portion adjoinsa cylindrical section 51. Inside this cylindrical section there is anundercut groove 52 for retention purposes to be described below.

A pair olf rst cylindrical rings 53, 54 have an inner diameter which isequal to the diameter of the spindle plus twice the thickness of theannular part of the neck portion 50, so that the said rst rings can beiitted over the depending internal neck portions as shown to hold neckportions against the spindle. When the caps are put upon the spindle,the neck portions bear against each other as do the rings 53, 54.

A second ring 55 (see Fig. 4) has a central cylindrical portion 56bounded on either side by an enlarged shoulder 57, S8. When the caps areinstalled, the enlarged shoulders fit into the undercut grooves 52,thereby retaining the caps on ring 55 and sealing the capsule. Thehousing makes a snug fit over the outside of the cylindrical sections 51so that the cap is held rmly between ring 55 and the housing. Thecapsule is thus joined to both the spindle and to the housing. Aquantity of viscous iluid 59 is placed inside the caps just before theyare snapped over the second ring 5S, and a preferred uid for thispurpose is a liquid silicone having arviscosity in the temperature rangeof -100" C. of about 6,000 centistokes.

It will be observed that the first rings 53 and 54 have a cylindricalouter surface having a diameter, and that the second ring S has acylindrical inner surface with a diameter greater than that o-f thefirst ring. The space between the said rings and within the boundingwebs forms a single chamber which is filled with a viscous fluid. Theterm single chamber defines an interior of a capsule in which a singleregion maintains substantially the same volume throughout the operationof the valve even though its shape may change somewhat. The term isintended to exclude such structures as are shown in Heldrich Patent1,304,311, which discloses a capsule with a restrictortype barrier thatdivides the capsule into two chambers. The restriction to movement isderived, in Heldrich, from iluid Yflowing through restrictor ports, fromone chamber to the other (the chambers changing volume), rather thanbeing derived from the shear properties of the viscous fluid itself. Inthe instant invention, the spacing apart of the rings, and the length ofthe capsule are two of the determinants which determine the resistanceoered by the viscous fluid in the capsule to the relative movementbetween the housing and the spindle. The viscosity of the fluid 59 isanother determinant. One of the benefits of utilizing a viscous uid suchas the aforesaid silicone is that the said silicone does not show anappreciable change in viscosity within ordinary operating ranges of hotwater faucets. Then, regardless of the temperature of the water and ofthe faucet, a quite consistent control over volume of flow (as afunction of the length of time which the valve is opened) per actuationis maintained.

The narrow end of the neck portion of cap 47 is backed up by a shoulder60 on the spindle. The like end of cap 48 is backed up by a sleeve 6lheld in place by a snap ring 62 seated in a groove 63 on the spindle.Both caps have a shoulder portion 64. This portion of cap 47 is backedup by inner shoulder 2l in the housing, and the corresponding portion ofcap 48 is backed up by the upper end of seat member 29. It will be seenthat the central part of the bell-shaped portions 49 is what flexes whenthe spindle and housing move relative to each other.

In Fig. 7 there is s-hown another embodiment of this invention in whicha spring 65 is placed inside the seat member, where it is opposedbetween the seat member and a shoulder 66 on the spindle. This biasesthe spindle to a valve-closed position. This figure illustrates that thebias spring can be located in various places in the valve. However, it-is somewhat more advantageous to have the spring outside the water asshown in Fig. 1, as this reduces corrosion problems.

Signiiicant dimensions for construction of a valve which passesapproximately two quarts of Water per actuation are as follows:

Outer diameter of rings 47 and 4S, 0.406 in. Inner diameter of ring 55,0.437 in.

Bias spring: stainless steel, 0.029 wire wound 5 turns to the inch, freelength 1%6, outer diameter 0.481 in.

The capsule is lled with the aforesaid silicone damping fluid. If theclearance between the rings were increased, the time the valve remainsopen would be lesscned, and if the clearance isv reduced, the time islengthened.

The operation of this valve should be evident from the drawings. To openthe valve and release a predetermined volume of liquid as a function ofthe time which the valve is open, cap' 44 is pressed down, therebymoving the spindle to unseatthe plug. When the cap is released, the biasspring and the pressure of the water flowing into the seat member tendto restore the spindle to its original position wherein the plug closesport 30. This return movement is resisted by viscous (or shear) forceswithin the capsule, and these forces, of course, will be overcome bywork done by the spring and by the water. The amount of time necessaryto create this return movement is quite consistent from operation tooperation, and therefore so -is the volume passed by the faucet.

The action in the capsule which results from relative movement betweenthe spindle and the interior wall of the passage will now be furtherexplained. It is evident that the volume of the capsule remainspractically constant. It is also evident that the capsule as a wholemoves relative to both the spindle and the wall of the passage when thespindle moves axially in the passage. This movement of the capsule issomething like trying to turn a rubber ring inside out, that is, it is arolling action around a circle that is centered on the center of thering. The movement of the spindle causes the change in configuration ofthe cross-sections of the caps in planes which include the axis of thespindle. For example, when the spindle moves down to open the valve partof the web of cap 48, it is removed from contact with the wall, andanother part is laid against the spindle. Thus, the capsule as a wholehas moved relative to both the spindle and the wall.

The drawings indicate that at many relative positions the spindle mayassume relative to the wall, and additional incremental shift will moveuid from an annular space in one cap, and shift an equal volume of fluidto an annular space in the other cap which may be nearer to or fartherfrom the central axis, and thus have a dif,- ferent volume perincremental unit of axial length. Because the iluid that lls the capsuledoes not change in Volume, the inner volume does not change. Theflexibility of the web enables the capsule to change the axial length ofthe capsule enough to maintain a constant volume with the new shape.

The seating of the plug in port 30 is made more positive lby the waterpressure in the pipe due to the fact that the water pressure forces theplug against the said port when the valve is closed.

This invention thereby provides a desirable and reliable metering valvewhich opens the valve for a predictable time and thus delivers apredictable volume of water which varies little with temperaturechanges, and which delivering time varies only slightly with pressurechanges. The term metering or metered quantity as used herein relates tothe amount of ilow which is passed by the valve during the time which itis open. The quantity will, of course, vary between liquids of differentviscosity and between samples of the same liquid at differenttemperatures when the viscosity of the owing liquid varies withtemperature. Accordingly, this metering valve acts as such in the sensethat it is a valve which remains open for a pre-determined length oftime.

Supply water line pressures often vary from 10 to 100 psi. A fullyopenfaucet with high pressures would cause severe and unwanted splash inlavatories. For reason a line Yrestriction such as a shut oit valveunder the lavatory is o-ften desirable because it can be regulated sothat only about 2-3 p.s.i. ows lthrough the faucet. With such arestriction the ow and timing features of this invention are made evenmore dependable.

This invention is not to be limited by the embodiments shown in thedrawings and described in the description, which are given by way ofexample and not of limitation, but only in accordance with the scope ofthe appended claims. f

We claim: l -1 1. A metering valve comprising: a housing, an interiorwall in said housing defining a passage, said passage having an axis; aspindle disposed in said passage and axially reciprocable along saidaxis; -a tubular seat member in abutment with said housing and having anaxis co-linear with the passage axis, said seat member having a cavity,an axial port defined by a seat, and ow holes through the wall of saidseat member, said port and ilow holes being connected through thecavity, said spindle passing through and projecting beyond said port soas to have a projecting portion on the opposite side of said port fromthe flow hole; a plug on said projecting portion, said plug being largerthan the port and thereby 'being adapted to close said port in one axialposition of .the spindle, and to leave said port open i-n another axialposition of said spindle; an annular elongated single- .chamberedcapsule in said passage attached to, extending '.between, andinterconnecting the spindle and the interior 'wall, said capsulecomprising a pair of flexible caps litted rover said spindle so as toenclose a space between them, :a first ring holding said caps to thespindle, said ring Ehaving an outer diameter, a second ring having aninner ydiameter greater than said outer diameter coaxially disposedaround said first ring, said second ring holding the caps against thehousing, the housing enclosing said icaps, the space within said capsbeing lled with a viscous uid, relative axial movement between thespindle and the interior wall causing the coniiguration of thecross-sections of the caps to change in planes which include the axis ofthe spindle, so that parts of the capsule move relatively to both thespindle and the interior wall as Ithe spindle moves axially relative tothe interior wall, the cross-section of said capsule chamber in planesnormal to the spindle axis, and the degree of viscosity of said iluidbeing so related =as to create shearing forces in the uid upon axialmovement of said spindle relative to the Wall, thereby to retard closingmovement of the plug, imparting axial movement of the spindle towardsaid port removing the plug therefrom to permit liquid to ow into saidport and out of said holes, and return movement of said spindle causingsaid plug to close off said port.

2. A metering valve according to claim l in which spring means areplaced in opposition between said housing and said spindle which tend tomove the spindle so that the plug closes the port.

3. A metering valve according to claim 1 in which the viscous iluid is asilicone.

4. A metering valve comprising: a housing, an interior wall in thehousing deiining a passage, said passage having an axis; a spindledisposed in said passage so as to be Iaxially reciprocable along saidaxis; a tubular seat member in abutment with said housing and having anaxis colinear with the passage axis, said seat member having a cavity,an axial port defined by a seat, and iiow holes through the wall of saidseat members, said port and ow holes being connected through the cavity,said spindle passing through and projecting beyond said port so as tohave a projecting portion on the opposite side of said port from theflow hole, the portion of the spindle which is reciprocable in said portbeing smaller than the port so as to leave a peripheral space betweenthe spindle and the port; an internal shoulder on said housing withinthe chamber Iand facing toward the seat member; -a shoulder on the owmember within said chamber and facing toward the housing; a plug n theprojecting portion of the spindle, said plug being larger than the portand thereby being adapted to close said port in one axial position ofthe spindle, and to leave said port open in another axial position ofsaid spindle; a flexible capsule attached to and between said housingand said spindle, said capsule lying between and being in abutment withsaid two shoulders, said capsule comprising a pair of flexible capsfitted over said spindle so as to enclose a space between them, each ofsaid caps having a web section adjoining to a re-entrant tubular portiontherein, an external rim in abutment with one of said shoulders, alarger tubular portion, and an undercut groove within said tubularportion, a first ring holding said capsule to the spindle by beingplaced over the said depending tubular portion, said ring having anouter diameter, a second ring having an inner diameter greater than thesaid outer diameter and coaxially disposed around said iirst ring, apair of outer annular shoulders on said second ring which project intothe undercut groves in each of said caps so -as to hold the capstogether, the space within said caps forming an annular, elongatedsingle chamber which is filled with a viscous fluid, relative axialmovement between the spindle and the interior wall causing thecontigui-ation of the cross-sections of the caps to change in planeswhich include the axis of the spindle, so that parts of the capsule moverelatively to both the spindle and the interior wall as the spindlemoves axially relative to the interior Wall, the cross-section of saidcapsule chamber in pl-anes normal to the spindle axis, and the degree ofviscosity of said iluid being so related as to create shearing forces inthe uid upon axial movement of said spindle relative to the interiorwall, thereby to retard closing movement of the plug, imparting axialmovement of the spindle toward said port removing the plug therefrom topermit liquid to 'ilow into said port and out said holes, and returnmovement of said spindle causing said plug to close off said port.

5. A metering valve according to claim 4 in which the capsule is illedwith a silicone fluid, and in which the seat member comprises agenerally tubular structure having holes in the wall thereof and an endmember in which the port and seat are formed.

6. A meter-ing valve according to claim 5 in which the projectingportion of the spindle and the plug have mating portions for holding theplug to said portion.

7. A metering valve comprising: a housing, an interior wall in thehousing dening a passage, said housing having an inlet, an outlet, and aport between said inlet and outlet, a spindle having an axis, saidspindle being axially movable in said passage and having a portion whichprojects through said port; a plug on said portion which is larger thansaid port and adapted to close the port in one axial position of thespindle, and to leave the port open in another position of the spindle,and an annular, elongated single-chambered capsule in said passageattached to, extending between, and interconnecting the spindle and theinterior wall, a pair of ilexible web sections forming a part of thecapsule, and extending between and interconnecting the spindle and saidinterior wall, said web sections being -axially spaced apart from eachother, the capsule lbeing filled with a viscous iiuid, relative axialmovement between the spindle and the interior wall causing theconguration of the cross-sections of the web sections to change inplanes which include the axis of the spindle, so that parts of thecapsule move relatively to both the spindle and the interior wall as thespindle moves axially relative to the wall, the cross-section of saidcapsule chamber in planes normal to the spindle axis and the degree ofViscosity of said uid being so related as to create shearing forces inthe iluid upon axial movement of said spindle relative to the wall,thereby to retard movement of the spindle and movement of the plug.

7 8 8. A metering valve according to claim 7 in which References Citedinthe le of this patent the capsule includes a pair of annular coaxial'members, V 4 the larger of which has -a cylindnical inner surface andUNITED STATES PATENTS the smaller of which has a cylindrical outersurface, Said 306,349 Porter A Oct. 7, 188,4 surfaces being spacedapart, the viscous iluid being dirs- 5 1,304,311 Heldrih l v May 20,1919 posed in said space and between the said web sections. 1,856,664Steen e v May 3, 1932 9. A metering valve according to claim 7 in which4 2,285,343 Marchand June 2, 1942 sp1-fing means bias the spindle so asto move the plug to- 2,315,948- Esnard Apr. 6, 1943 ward the port inorder to close the same. 2,552,479 Capping May 8, 1951 10. A meteringvalve according toY claim 7 in which 10 2,570,854 Pierce Oct. 9, 1951the viscous iuid` is a silicone. 2,816,569 Heyer et al; Dec. 17, 1957

